Best Dog Breeds Based on Your Job

Posted by Doug Murray on April 8, 2020

Looking for a furry friend? It’s best not to just pick whatever dog breed you think is cute. Different breeds have different traits and some may be more suited to your lifestyle than others. Of course, if you bond with a pup at the animal shelter, its breed won’t matter: love is love. If you want your canine friend to have a good pedigree though, here are the best dog breeds based on your job.

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Siberian Husky: Forester

Siberian huskies are very active dogs originally bred to pull sleds. They don’t like being left alone, so they’ll be in their element when they can go with you on long walks in the forest. Winter snow won’t put them off either.

Golden Retriever: Limnologist

Limnologists have one of the great environmental jobs, studying freshwater ecosystems. What better furry companion for a limnologist than a dog that was bred to retrieve waterfowl and still loves being in the water? Golden retrievers are active and playful too. Just be careful that their friendly nature won’t get them into trouble with pond creatures.

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Swedish Vallhund: Fishing Guide

The Swedish vallhund is the perfect pup to have if your job involves taking tourists out on fishing trips. This breed is a natural herder and will happily round up groups of people while on land. While on the boat, your Swedish vallhund will pretend it’s just like the Viking longship its ancestors used to sail on a thousand years ago.

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Boerboel: Physical Therapist

The boerboel was originally bred to protect South African homesteads against predators like lions. Now they make a great companion if you’re a physical therapist: one of those high-paying jobs in Canada for women. These dogs are intimidating but also calm and loving, with a soft spot for children. They make great therapy dogs and because of their size and strength, they can even lend a paw during a treatment session.

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Komondor: Hair Stylist

One Komondor, two Komondorok. These Hungarian dogs were originally bred to guard flocks of sheep, because they could blend in but then surprise predators that came too close. Their trademark dreadlocks require plenty of care so they don’t start smelling like an old mop and as a hair stylist, you’ll know exactly how to do that.

Cane Corso: Singer

The Cane Corso was originally bred to obliterate enemies of the Roman Empire. Later on, these dogs became guardians on Italian farms. They’re also known as the “bodyguard dog”, so you’ll want one of these pups in your entourage if you’re aspiring to be one of the world’s richest singers.

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Doberman Pinscher: CRA Auditor

We tend to think of Doberman pinschers as guard dogs or police dogs but there’s a good reason why one of these is the dog for you if you’re an auditor with the CRA: Louis Dobermann, who developed this breed, was a tax collector who wanted a scary-looking dog to protect him on his rounds, since 19th-century Germany wasn’t one of the world’s top tax havens and his job could be downright dangerous. This is why Doberman pinschers are also called "tax-collector’s dogs".

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Newfoundland: Aquatic Veterinarian

The Newfoundland has traditionally been the Canadian fisherman’s preferred companion. These big balls of fur would haul fishing nets to shore and help in rescue missions at sea: skills that will come in handy as a helper for an aquatic veterinarian, who specializes in treating fish, turtles, whales and other marine species.

Giant Schnauzer: Actor

Whether you’re already one of Canada’s wealthiest actors or are striving to be, a giant schnauzer will be your ideal companion. These imposing dogs were bred as guardians, so they can keep those pesky paparazzi at bay while still being able to strike the perfect pose.

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Rottweiler: Airport Security Person

The Rottweiler is a rather intimidating dog that’s popular with police K9 units. Travellers will do anything to avoid getting flagged at customs if they know that the airport security has one of these dogs by their side. Little do they know that Rottweilers are actually calm, level-headed gentle giants.

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Saint Bernard: Nature Guide

The Saint Bernard is legendary for helping rescue travellers in the snowy Alps, finding them in the snow and reviving them with something strong from a little barrel around their neck. These dogs love being outdoors and are great with children too, so they’re the ultimate nature guides.

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Chihuahua: Fashion Stylist

Thankfully the trend among starlets and heiresses to carry a Chihuahua in their designer purses seems to have died down, but if you have one of the most expensive handbags in the world, it helps to have someone who can look after that bag for you. Chihuahuas also don’t seem to mind too much being dressed in silly outfits, so you can try different styles to your heart’s content.

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Maltese: Customer Service Representative

A customer service representative has one of those jobs you can do from anywhere. If "anywhere" means your home, your work will be much more comfortable if you have a Maltese sitting in your lap. Whenever a customer is being difficult, you just need to show them your cute ball of fluff and they’ll calm right down.

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Bulldog: Video Game Tester

As a video game tester, you have one of the best jobs for lazy people. After all, your job actually requires you to be a couch potato. If the idea of getting up and being active scares the living daylights out of you, you’ll find a kindred spirit in the bulldog.

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Greyhound: Video Editor

Video editing is one of the most important skills you can have in the age of the side hustle. However, it requires being able to work without distractions. The chill, quiet greyhound is just the dog for you, then, since it will be happy to let you work in peace.

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Keeshond: Childcare Worker

The keeshond was originally bred as a barge dog in The Netherlands and was even a symbol of Dutch patriotism. These days the breed is a great sidekick to have if you’re a childcare worker who gets paid shockingly less than you’d think and has a job that can be exhausting. The keeshond is calm and patient, very fluffy and just the right size for a tiny tot and an exhausted caregiver to curl up against.

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Basset Hound: Writer

If you’re a writer, you probably know that once you’re in the zone, you can sit behind your computer without knowing that the entire day has passed. Having a noisy, energetic, demanding dog is a sure way to get you out of that zone and straight into writer’s block. Instead, you’ll need a companion like a basset hound, which is famous for sleeping all day.

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Afghan Hound: Instagram Influencer

If you’re a successful Instagram influencer, you’ll have the makers of beauty and fashion products begging you to give them a shout-out. What better way to show the power of a great shampoo than by showing how it keeps tresses glossy and perfect? And who is a more perfect hair model than an Afghan hound?

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German Shepherd: Aerospace Engineer

It takes a pretty high level of intelligence to become an aerospace engineer. You’re essentially a rocket scientist, after all. When you’re that smart, you want a companion who can match your level of intelligence. The German shepherd is one of the smartest dog breeds there are.

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Pembroke Welsh Corgi: Queen

Of course there are many queens in the world but there’s only one who we call The Queen. Think of Queen Elizabeth II, one of the world’s richest leaders, and the picture in your mind’s eye probably has a Pembroke Welsh corgi or two in it. It’s almost a prerequisite for being queen: The Queen got her first corgi in 1933 and has owned more than 30 ever since.